Capitol Communicator is running “Up Close and Personal” profiles of communicators in the mid-Atlantic. In this profile we feature Bryant Prince. Photography for the series is by award-winning Cade Martin, wardrobe styling by Pascale Lemaire and Sybil Street for THE Artist Agency; and hair and makeup by Patti D Nelson, Janice Kinigopoulos and Lori Pressman for THE Artist Agency.
Bryant, please provide us a short bio.
I studied graphic design and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Washington. After graduation, I got my start at August Lang and Husak. The experience I gained has proven to be invaluable and a precursor for what was to come. From there, I went to a more traditional design shop, Bussolati, for a couple of years. During that time, I was able to bolster my design abilities, but also realize I that I needed to tell bigger stories. I knew that getting back into advertising was the step to take. Currently, I’m an Art Director at Subject Matter, a Creative Advocacy agency, and in year seven of my professional career. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to work on many challenging, fulfilling projects alongside some super smart people and I’m looking forward to keeping the party going.
What are you are most proud of?
I vividly remember a time when I had no direction. I’m most proud that years later, I wake up mornings incredibly focused, feeling that what I get to do every day is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing at this moment.
Who are your role models?
I have to categorize my role models using two buckets. One bucket is for those I know personally and another for people I feel like I know personally. My mom and my wife fill the “people I know personally” bucket. Aside from my upbringing and the usual motherly advice, it’s worth mentioning that my mom is 100% where my professional aspirations come from. Watching her continually progress and be recognized for it, yet still searching for ways to make herself better, is mind blowing. My wife on the other hand shows me every day how important it is to really care about other people and be willing to lend a helping hand or ear. She’s everybody’s go-to person if you need someone to talk to or someone to listen. I know how valuable this is because she’s that for me.
The second bucket is for my influences — contemporary artists, architects, fashion designers, and anybody else making cool stuff that’s not advertising. Of course, I look to other creatives in my discipline to keep up with the goings on in the industry, but I’m way more inspired by the people doing groundbreaking things elsewhere.
Did your role models offer professional advice that helped you in your career?
Yes. The best advice I’ve gotten from my mom is that all things happen for a reason and only when its meant to. I can be so hard on myself at times and this little nugget keeps me positive.
I steal advice from people like Virgil Abloh, Ruby Sterling, George Lois, Corbusier and Olafur Eliasson without them knowing. It’s hard to pinpoint one piece of advice from them because I seek it out in little bits every day. Whether it’s the things they’ve created or the way they create, I gain something from every one of them.
What professional advice do you have for others?
I’m no industry veteran by any stretch of the word, so I’m currently following this bit of advice myself: Don’t be so precious — with your ideas, information or vision of your future. Share your knowledge and seek it out. I completely believe that you should allow yourself to be impacted and shaped by the people around you, no matter their skill level.
What’s on your Spotify and Pandora playlists?
Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Lucky Daye, Snoh Aalegra, Francis and the Lights, Blood Orange, Tyler The Creator, and Kendrick Lamar are a few of my go-tos, but my musical taste extends way further. I also love discovering new songs that I wouldn’t normally search for.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
This is the hardest question of them all, but in fear of spending 15-plus minutes thinking about it, I’ll throw a couple of my favorites out there. In D.C., Iron Gate. Outside of D.C., I’ll roll with Topolobampo in Chicago – their mole is a must!
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I’m really into fashion. There’s just something about style, especially when its effortless.
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